Greenough Pioneer Museum

Timberwork

2011-12-31T13:48:00.003+08:00

We recently had the opportunity to collect some Ironbark that had been bulldozed to make way for a new boundary fence. This beautiful timber was traditionally used for construction work on the Greenough Flats, but now large trees are relatively scarce.

The Hills Hoist has been replaced by a more traditional clothesline, complete with props.

The Vegie Garden has been extended, and the timber used for new gateposts.

Twitter

2011-12-28T15:24:00.000+08:00

This museum is now on Twitter.
Just type in GreenoughMuseum.

Christmas Shopping in the 1860s

2011-12-19T11:22:00.005+08:00

In the Maley Archives at this museum are hundreds of documents relating to Maley's Store and Mill. Below are two that relate to this time of year.

Above is a note from Robert Brockman allowing Henry Shields to update his cooking equipment.
Brockman was a farmer at Greenough, and Shields is most likely Convict No.7269, a seaman and carpenter who was court martialled in Singapore at sent to the colony in 1863.
Below is the December 1868 delivery list to Maley's store from Crowther's store in Geraldton.

Halloween Day Photos

2011-11-09T16:04:00.009+08:00

Below, courtesy of Denis and Dimitri are images of the recent Halloween Market Day held at the museum.

The day was a great success thanks to the dedication and hard work of members of the Community Group of Greenough, the musicians and stall holders. Thanks also to the Geraldton Guardian for sponsoring the children's fancy dress competition.

Invitation to Halloween

2011-10-25T12:24:00.002+08:00

You are invited to our Halloween/Market Day that is to be held on Sunday 30th October between 10am and 3pm.

Display Shed Redevelopment

2011-09-30T13:05:00.003+08:00

It had been hoped that the redevelopment of this shed would have been completed in time for the museum's 45th birthday next week. However, difficulties in obtaining quotes from builders and uncertainity over the future management of the museum has delayed the project. We have, however, with assistance from the Greenough Regional Prison, had the old bush poles replaced by steel posts, and today Keboda Stone completed a limestone buttress to fill a gap in the west wall. This work was funded by the City of Greater Geraldton through a Lotterywest grant.

Let's hope the project is completed well in advance of the museum's 50th birthday.

Pioneer Museum & the National Gallery

2011-09-21T11:49:00.005+08:00

What does the Greenough Pioneer Museum and the National Gallery of Australia have in common?

They both have a drawing by Tom Rands of the 1888 flood at Greenough in their collections.
Our drawing, donated to the museum by Phyl Duncan in 2007 is pictured above. We believed it was the only image of that devastating flood in existence.
Image our surprise when we were informed that the exhibition entitled "Out of the West" currently on display in the National Gallery has another Tom Rand drawing of the 1888 flood.
The NGA drawing was purchased in 2010 and can be viewed at http://nga.gov.au/exhibition/OUTWEST?Default.cfm?MnuID=2&GallD=3.
On comparing the 2 sketches I presume that ours is a quick preliminary sketch, and that Rands then decided to improve the composition by including adjacent buildings.

John & Elizabeth's Wedding Certificate

2011-08-22T13:31:00.005+08:00

Among documents held in this museum's archives is the wedding certificate of John S. Maley and Elizabeth K. Waldeck. The couple were married at Gray's Store, Greenough (there being no churches at Greenough at that time) on 27 August 1862. The marriage ceremony was performed by the Resident Magistrate, Charles Symmons, as there was no priest or minister residing in the district. Witnesses to the ceremony were 2 Geraldton storekeepers, Henry Gray and Charles Crowther.
The certificate was in very poor condition when found and required extensive conservation by Corkhill Conservators of Perth. Fortunately descendants of John and Elizabeth donated funds to save this valuable document.

Unique Gates

2011-07-05T17:21:00.006+08:00

Ray proudly showing the double gates he recently made for the Pioneer Museum
New single gate leading to the Historic Tree Walk

Through funding from the City of Geraldton-Greenough Community Grants and financial assistance from the Geraldton-Greenough Historical Society, the museum was able to employ Ptera Trading to design and construct these new gates. The museum is once again appreciative of being able to use the talents of local craftspeople to enhance this property.

New Banners

2011-06-08T12:05:00.003+08:00

New banners have now been placed along the Phillips Road approach to the museum. Due to safety concerns about vehicles turning off the Brand Highway, these banners can only be viewed by south-bound traffic. The banners (which depict 6 diverse objects from the museum collection) were financed by the City of Geraldton-Greenough through funding from a Lotterywest grant. The steel work was constructed by Ptera Trading of Geraldton, the banners designed by Two Fish Drowning of Greenough and were made and printed by Seaside Signs of Dongara.

Forget the Stairs

2011-03-23T10:24:00.003+08:00

Are you wanting to visit the Pioneer Museum, but concerned about climbing up or down stairs? Well, now you can relax. We have recently placed in the Office a photograph album with views of the upstairs bedrooms, the cellar, and some of the objects contained in these rooms.

You can now sit in comfort and take a leisurely tour of the less accessible parts of this museum.

Conservation Work Continues

2011-03-10T13:27:00.007+08:00

Over the previous four weeks the Geraldton-Greenough Historical Society has funded the restoration of an old stone building at the rear of the museum. The work was undertaken by a professional stonemason, and the restored stonework was white-washed using a traditional method.

West view of the "Old Garage" before and after.

South wall of the building before and after.

View of the cesspit adjacent to the "Double Dunnie" before and after.

Recent Donations

2011-01-21T09:54:00.005+08:00

These 3 photo-ceramic portraits have been donated to the museum by members of the Willocks family. This method of portraiture was popular in the 1890s.

Portrait of a young man, believed to be Charles Ernest Willocks

Willocks was born in Victoria 1874 and moved to Western Australia to join in the Gold Rush. In November 1901 he married Mabel Wiley at Greenough. The couple lived at Mount Magnet. He died in 1936 and is buried in Cue.

Portrait of a man believed to be Thomas Wiley
Wiley was born in Ireland in 1846 and arrived in Western Australia in 1863. Much against her parent's wishes, he married Elizabeth Pearson in 1870. The couple had 10 children. Wiley was landlord of the Irwin Hotel, then the Hampton Hotel and later farmed on the Back Flats at Greenough. He died in Geraldton in 1924.

Portrait of a woman believed to be Elizabeth Wiley (nee Pearson)
Elizabeth was born in England on Christmas Day 1848, as an infant she came to Western Australia as her father Francis Watson Pearson had been employed to work at the Geraldine Mine.

Pearson later moved his family to Greenough and built and managed the Hampton Hotel.
Following her mother's death, Elizabeth purchased the Hampton Hotel (by then de-licensed) in 1898 and lived there for 16 years. Elizabeth died in 1925.

Can You Guess What This Was Used For?

2010-11-08T14:55:00.003+08:00

This Cowry Shell is a recent donation, and at first glance not the sort of object you would associate with the pioneers of Greenough.
It is a however a lovely example of making-do, and originally came from the workbasket of Edith K. Clinch (nee Waldeck).
Arthur Clinch married Edith (or Topsy as she was more lovingly known) on 8 November 1892, and the couple went on to live at Mill Farm (the former Greenough Hotel). In those days, frugality prevailed, and as a farmer's wife, one of the skills Topsy would have learnt was how to mend clothes. This beautiful shell was used by Topsy as a darning mushroom for mending socks.
Unfortunately we do not know who gave Topsy the shell. There could be a lovely story there.
The shell has been donated to this museum by Topsy's grand-daughter, Joy.

Recent Donation

2010-10-22T15:08:00.004+08:00

The latest donation to the collection is this very fine tapestry of Maley's Bridge at Greenough. The tapestry was made from coloured wool by Jan Weaver and purchased many years ago by Colin and Lorina Maley. At a morning tea held at the Pioneer Museum on Sunday 3 October for members of the Maley family who were attending the Waldeck 150 Reunion, Lorina presented the tapestry on behalf of her late husband who had been born in this house in 1912.

Music, Music, Music

2010-09-11T15:10:00.003+08:00

As part of the Interpretation of the Nickelodeon, we have had this cutout figure made and on him are the words to the Nickolodeon song, or to give it its correct title, Music Music Music.

Who can remember the words?

"Put another nickel in, in the nickelodeon.
And all I want is loving you, and music, music, music.
I'd do anything for you; anything you'd want me to.
All I want is kissing you and music, music, music.
Closer, my dear come closer.
The nicest part of any melody is when you're dancing close to me.
...So put another nickel in, in the nickelodeon.
All I want is loving you and music, music, music."

Perhaps not so surprisingly, this is one tune you would not have heard on this nickelodeon. The song was written by Stephen Weiss and Bernie Baum in 1949 and made popular in Australia by Petula Clarke in 1950. Far too late for this "Fully Automated Mechanical Piano" to give it its correct title.

After playing for many years to wonderous visitors, our nickelodeon was badly damaged about 10 years ago when a former curator decided to install an electric motor to save having to wind up the machine manually.

It has been estimated it would cost around $25,000 to now get the machine back to working order! To date we have collected less than 1/10th of the quote! Any donations welcome.

Spring in the Vegie Garden

2010-09-11T15:04:00.007+08:00

September is such a glorious month to be at Greenough. Sunny days, cool nights, the occasional shower of rain, and everything is blooming.

The Vegie Garden is also coming into full production. Salad days indeed.

Recent Donation

2010-09-04T09:49:00.006+08:00

A recent donation to the museum has been this bookcase, which has come in very handy for housing our collection of antique books. But what is really special about this piece is the information on the back.

Painted very elegantly in black is, "Rev William Treacy, c/o Rev. E. Brereton, Geraldton." Now we know Rev Brereton was Roman Catholic priest at Geraldton from 1888, but to date have found no information about Rev Treacy. If you have any information, please contact us so we can complete the data base.

Costume Display Case - July/August Display

2010-07-03T13:21:00.006+08:00

Celebrating the Anglican Diocese of North West Australia's Centenary

The Anglican Church of North West Australia is the largest land-mass Diocese in the world, covering 2 million sq km. The Diocese extends north from Dongara to the Northern Territory border and east to the borders of South Australia and the Northern Territory. The Diocese was formed on 4 July 1910 when Bishop Trower was enthroned.

Within the Diocese are 18 parishes, one of which is Greenough. The Parish of Greenough was formed in 1864 with the appointment of George R. Howard as the first Rector.

The first Bishop - Gerard Trower (1910-1927)

[photo courtesy of Anglican Diocese of North West Australia]

In commemoration of this event a display has been set up in the Costume Display case. Included in the display are two sets of clothing (day and evening wear) worn by Bishop Trower; the altar cross from St James' Church, South Greenough (the oldest surviving church in the Diocese); an "Illustrated Family Bible" from 1838 which belonged to Rev Howard; and some shingle from the roof of Christ Church, Geraldton (demolished 1962).

Vegie Garden Report

2010-06-23T14:29:00.004+08:00

Although it is not proving to be a wet winter, we have had enough rain to re-establish the vegie garden. This year we have sourced heirloom seeds from the Diggers Club to sow, these include Golden Pod peas, radishes, beetrot and a variety of beans. Also in are Cos lettuce, leeks, eggplants, bok choy and potatoes (under straw). New Zealand Spinach, Parsley and Coriander are sprouting everywhere and the Chives growing rampant.
It is a great time of the year to be working outside, and the vegie garden is a visual as well as culinary delight.

New Interpretive Panel

2010-06-23T14:23:00.004+08:00

With funding from the Mid West Development Commission a sign has been installed near the Bowes Gates at the rear of the Museum. This sign also provides information on the buildings to be viewed over the gates, and nearby.

As an example of recycling, the frame of an old Pioneer Museum sign has been re-used to support the new panel.

Biggest Morning Tea - A Wonderful Time enjoyed by All

2010-05-28T13:54:00.007+08:00

Despite inclement weather over 30 people turned up at the Pioneer museum on Thursday 27 May to help raise funds for the Cancer Council. Because of the wet weather, what was supposed to have been a garden party had to move into the Dining & Music Rooms of the museum. Guests enjoyed their tea & coffee and a wide array of generously donated cakes, scones & savouries, whilst catching up on local gossip, reminiscing, and listening to a selection of tunes from the 1920s played on the museum's Edison phonograph.

Thanks go out to the Hampton Arms and the Central Greenough Historic Settlement for donating cakes and scones; to Bentwood Olive Grove and Lil & Marge for donating local produce to be raffled and to everyone who supported this event.In all, $454.00 was raised for the Cancer Council.
Also, thanks to Two Fish Drowning for donating a framed aerial photo of the Abrolhos reefs that was auctioned on the day. That money, along with donations from Rock of Ages Bed & Breakfast and Gary Martin has been used to purchase a stainless steel urn to help with the catering of future events.

Biggest Morning Tea

2010-05-18T15:59:00.004+08:00

Why not join us at the Pioneer Museum on Thursday 27 May between 10.00 and 11.30am? We will be holding a morning tea to raise funds for the Cancer Council.

Serving the Empire

2010-04-10T13:51:00.006+08:00

In commemoration of Anzac Day, a temporary display has been prepared about the sons and grandsons of John and Elizabeth Maley who served in the Armed Forces.

Boer War 1899-1901

Albert Edward Maley

Henry Kennedy Maley

Arthur Roy Maley

World War One 1914-1918

Irwin Munro Whitfield (died in action) - picture below

Albert Edward Maley

Frederick William Maley

Septimus Frank Maley

John Stuart Mills

George Morrison Maley

World War Two 1939-1945

Kenneth Morrison Maley

John Lawrence Maley (killed)

Albert Lawrence Maley

Colin Kennedy Maley

Alan Kennedy Maley

[more information and photographs of these men is available on the Greenough Pioneer Museum webpage].

The Anzac Day Dawn Service will once again be held at the Central Greenough Historical Settlement.

Cellar Repairs

2010-03-31T14:10:00.007+08:00

The walls in the Cellar have now been re-pointed and re-plastered, the work being carried out by Keboda Stone Construction. Above - Before; Below - After

Above - Before; Below - After

Before the work could commence, the Cellar had to be cleared of objects (over 250). Thanks go out to Fay, Irene, Heather, Alex and Jose for assisting in moving, cleaning and replacing objects.

New Directional Sign

2010-02-14T12:05:00.003+08:00

Stage I of the Historic Trees Project has now been completed with the installation of this directional sign, designed and constructed by a local craftsman.
Stage II will be commencing soon with the installation of gates and an all-weather path. This project is being funded by a City of Geraldton-Greenough Community Grant.

Historic Tree Signs in place

2010-01-15T14:15:00.004+08:00

The four stainless steel signs providing information about some of the historic trees in the Pioneer Museum grounds have now been installed. Thanks go out to the City of Geraldton-Greenough for funding this project. These signs will help enhance visitor experience to this museum.

Season's Greetings

2009-12-20T13:06:00.004+08:00

We, the curator, caretakers and volunteers at the Greenough Pioneer Museum wish you a very happy christmas and all the best for 2010.

The museum will only be closed Christmas Day, otherwise it is business as usual (just remember our new opening hours of 9.30am to 3.30pm). We look forward to having you and your family and friends visit this museum during this festive season.

Scarecrow does Santa - he is holding a traditional Greenough Xmas Tree - the dried out flower stalk of an Aloe plant. These plants have been used locally for over 130 years.

Small Treasures Display

2009-12-20T12:59:00.008+08:00

Through funding from the Mid West Development Commission a cabinet has been purchased to hold what we call our "Small Treasures of the Collection" Display. Work is underway preparing the display which will then be placed in the re-developed Cramer Shed. Below are a few objects that will be included in this cabinet.

Camel nose pegs

Sharks Bay Road Board dog tag for 1907

An 'educational' child's game

Shag tobacco c1870

pair Baby's slippers c1874

The Bowes Gates

2009-11-22T14:27:00.003+08:00

Located in the south-west corner of the museum are a pair of cast-iron farm gates. Their story is about to be told with a new sign that will be installed nearby.

Back in the later part of 19th Century, two brothers, Edward and Frank Wittenoom, created a pastoral empire of 11 million acres in the Murchison District. They also had an import/export business based in Geraldton. Wool from their stations was carted to their warehouse by wagon (first pulled by horses, and later camels). Before the coming of the railways, the wagons carted the wool overland to Yuin Station, then westward to the Greenough River which was followed to Nundamarra Pool. They then went westward to Bowes Station near Northampton (owned by an uncle of the Wittenooms) and onto Geraldton. At the port the wool was stockpiled until there was sufficient to charter ships to send that wool to England.
Known locally as Bowes Gates, these gates were made by jobbing blacksmiths and brought out from England as ballast in the wool ships. They were then carted by those wool wagons (like the one in the Display Shed at this museum) out to the Murchison properties.
These gates were trucked down from Boolardy Station to this museum in the early 1970s. They were donated by R.F.B. (Bob) Lefroy. Similiar gates were used on Murgoo and Pindatharra Stations and at Woorree homestead (just to the east of Geraldton).

Many thanks to Stan Gratte for prociding this information.

New Opening Hours

2009-11-07T14:23:00.002+08:00

We have changed our opening hours. The museum will now be open from 9.30am to 3.30pm. In doing so, we hope to make the museum more accessible for the early travellers.

Scarecrow

2009-10-02T11:32:00.003+08:00

As part of the Open Day activities, Joey Martin made a scarecrow for the Pioneer Museum. He was placed in the potato patch to keep guard over the Vegie Garden. The potatoes have now been dug up and pumpkin seed planted in their place.

September Costume Display

2009-08-31T11:59:00.004+08:00

For the next 6 weeks, our new Display Case (courtesy of Lotterywest) will be showing this stunning Japanese silk kimono with its silver thread embroidery of a peacock. This kimono was used as a ladies dressing gown in the 1920s, before being donated to the museum in the early 1970s. Unfortunately accession records do not give the donor's name. Due to its very fragile nature, this is the first time the kimono has been placed on display.

Tomato Stall

2009-08-28T12:24:00.002+08:00

Another reason to visit the museum is to stock up on fresh, locally grown tomatoes and cucumbers. This stall (with its old-fashioned 'honesty box') outside the museum is run by members of the Vietnamese market gardening community in Geraldton (and Geraldton grows the best tomatoes in Australia). At only $1/bag its a bargain.

Another New Book

2009-08-24T14:24:00.005+08:00

Joy Clinch, the author of the above book has very kindly transferred copyright of the book to the Greenough Pioneer Museum, so that income from sales can be used for care of the collection.
The book provides a very interesting history of the Clinch family, influential pioneers of the Greenough Flats and also contains a wealth of information about Central Greenough.
The book is available from the museum for $28.00 plus $6.00 postage (to anywhere in Australia)

"my dad broke horses"

2009-08-20T12:03:00.004+08:00

A new book for sale at the Greenough Pioneer Museum is "my dad broke horses - the maleys of three springs". This small book was written by Fay McKinnon, daughter of Cecil Morrison Maley, and great granddaughter of John S. Maley and is a charming recollection of her childhood at Three Springs in the 1930/40s. Fay also reminiceses about members of the Maley family and describes her training as a nurse.
Many thanks go to Alex McKinnon for printing the book and to Fay for donating all proceeds of the sale of the book to the Greenough Pioneer Museum.
The book is available for only $7.50 (plus $6.00 postage throughout Australia)

A Touch of Colour

2009-08-09T12:49:00.002+08:00

New curtains have been fitted upstairs in the Children's Bedroom. Thanks to Sheila for selecting the material and to Jose for making and hanging the curtains. They add a touch of colour to the room.

Recent Improvements

2009-07-17T12:49:00.006+08:00

It has been a busy time at the museum.

We now have a new entrance sign (courtesy of the City of Geraldton-Greenough).

The doors made at the Greenough Regional Prison have been fixed on the old shed.

The Display Case (funded by a grant from Lotterywest) has been placed in the Dining Room. The case will be used to display costume and other fragile items from the collection, and will be changed regularly. The dress currently on display was donated in the late 1960s by the late Eyris Sewell of Sandsprings Station.

Maley Portraits

2009-06-15T12:41:00.005+08:00

John S. Maley as a young man (c.1866)
John S. Maley as a mature man (c.1896)

Elizabeth K. Maley (nee Waldeck) as a mature woman (c.1896)

As part of the Maley Family Tree Project, these 3 copies of sketches of John and Elizabeth Maley have now been framed and are on display in the Dining Room. Many thanks go to Kylie for allowing us to copy the originals, to Peter at Geraldton Picture Framers for the wonderful framing and to all the descendants of John and Elizabeth, who have assisted with this project.

Update to Benefactors Board

2009-06-10T13:06:00.003+08:00

Two more names have been entered on the Benefactors Board at the Pioneer Museum.
The first is Lotterywest who recently provided funding of $10,000. This grant is being used to have a display cabinet made to show some of the costumes we have in storage.
The second is the Estate of Bob Sullivan. Bob's car trailer was donated to the museum for the use of the caretakers and a donation of money is being used to pay for the construction of a pair of large doors that are currently being built at the Greenough Regional Prison and will go on the Old Garage.
The museum in its appreciation of the above generous donations, is happy to be able to add their names to our Benefactors Board.

Recent Donation - the Jenner wood planes

2009-05-25T15:18:00.004+08:00

A recent donation to the museum is a set of 11 wood planes used by a local builder named John James Jenner over 100 years ago. The planes were donated by Mollie Holst and Margaret Whittle, granddaughters of Jenner.

James John Jenner was born in Bromley, Kent, England in 1866. He migrated to Queensland aboard the Duke of Buckingham in 1885 but by c1890 he had moved to Geraldton. Here he continued his trade as Plasterer, Builder, Contractor and Brickmaker (at Narngulu), both in and around Geraldton and surrounding districts, including the Murchison. Jenner also built several houses in Northampton. He later acquired a partner, Mr Lou Haffner. Included in the buildings constructed by Jenner & Haffner are the former Greenough Roads Board Office (1906), the former Bootenal Agricultural Hall (1907), the Northampton Post Office (1913) and St Andrews Anglican Church at Mullewa (1921). In 1897, Jenner married Maria (Molly) Drage in Geraldton. Molly was the daughter of Northampton grazier, Thomas Drage. He built a home (now 22 Sanford Street, Geraldton) in readiness for the marriage. A daughter Dorothy was born in 1897 and a son Walter in 1899. Twins were born in 1901 but died soon after, along with their mother.
In 1904, Jenner married a widow, Mrs Rosa Margaret Wight Rowe who was an accomplished singer and pianist. Mrs Rowe had a business in Marine Terrace as a Bookseller and Newsagent.
Jenner had many interests in Geraldton in the more than 50 years he lived there. He was on the Town Council for many years and many periods, especially in the 1920s. He was a member of the Church of England Christ Church Vestry, sang as tenor in the Choir, and was Choirmaster for many years. He also conducted Church Choirs in outlying districts such as Greenough, and the first surpliced choir in Day Dawn in 1901. Jenner was a Synodsman and represented Christ Church at Synods in Perth. Archbishop Riley used to stay in the Jenner home in Chapman Road (built 1910) on his visits to Geraldton.
His other interests were the Geraldton temperance Brass Band, where he played the tuba and was conductor for a time. Cricket was another passion, and he played cricket until well into his 80s.
Another interest was the Masonic Lodge, of which he was a member for 54 consecutive years. He was a Past Grand Master and also held Masonic Orders with the Rechabites and Oddfellows. Jenner was a teetotaller all his life.
During World War I, Jenner and his wife held many soirees, etc to help the War Effort in their lovely Chapman Rd house.
Jenner moved to Perth after the death of his wife in 1948. In Perth he continued playing cricket, visiting old and sick friends, singing in Church Choirs, Lodge membership, etc. All his life he was a robust, remarkably active man, very good natured, an optimist, always smiling. He loved life and enjoyed it to the full.
J.J. Jenner passed away in the Royal Perth Hospital on 11 January 1951. The funeral took place at Karrakatta Cemetery.

Former Greenough Road Board office built by Jenner in 1906. You can see this building at the Central Greenough Historical Settlement 4.5km south of the Pioneer Museum.

Commendation

2009-05-18T13:05:00.002+08:00

I am very pleased to report that the Greenough Pioneer Museum received a Commendation in the 2009 ABC Radio National Regional Museums Award.
Check out the results at http://www.abc.net.au/rn/museums/

Recent Fanmail

2009-05-12T16:04:00.000+08:00

Dear Gary
I am 10 years old I came on an excursion to the pioneer museum two weeks ago.The part I like most was the coffen in your shed.

Yours Sincerely
Kiarna

p.s I am from Geraldton Primary School

Historic Trees

2009-04-17T13:53:00.008+08:00

Visitors to the museum would not be aware that there are some very historic trees growing in the museum gardens. To rectify this, funding has been sought to have information plaques near 4 of the trees.

Historic Trees – River Gum – Eucalyptus camaldulensis
The River Gum is found throughout southern Australia growing along watercourses and on flood plains. It is only on the windswept Greenough Flats that the tree develops its distinctive leaning shape.
About the year 1220AD a seedling sprouted here and slowly grew over the centuries into this magnificent tree. Over that time many generations of the Yamatji would have sought shelter beneath its leafy boughs from the hot summer sun.

Historic Trees – Cotton Palm – Washingtonia filifera
The Cotton Palm is a native to south-western North America. About the time the two-storey section of this homestead was built, a Cotton Palm was planted in the front garden. For close to 100 years, the palm stood tall, until killed by the effects of aerial spraying. Fortunately in the early 1950’s, Nellie Rudduck planted one of its seedlings here.

Historic Trees –Seville Orange Tree– Citrus aurantium
Whilst the Orange Tree originated in Southeast Asia, it was in Spain that this type was developed for the bitter taste of its fruit, much used in the making of marmalade.
John Steven Maley was responsible for introducing many different types of fruit trees to Greenough in the 1880s. Of all those fruit trees he planted around this homestead, only this orange tree remains.

Historic Trees – Pepper Tree – Schinus molle
The Pepper Tree is native to the arid zone of Northern South America, Mexico and Peru's Andean deserts. Although not related to commercial pepper, the berries are sold as "pink peppercorns" and often blended with commercial pepper. Pepper Trees first arrived in Victoria in the 1870s and were brought to this garden by the eminent Victorian botanist, Baron von Mueller in 1876.
These are possibly the first Pepper Trees introduced to this part of Western Australia.

Easter Opening Times

2009-04-10T12:17:00.001+08:00

Are you thinking of visiting Greenough over Easter? Why not come and look through our museum. We will be maintaining normal opening hours (10am to 4pm) over the Easter break.

Latest Donation - A Sharpening Wheel

2009-03-27T14:09:00.003+09:00

The most recent donation to the museum has come from Kath Browning of Geraldton and is this sharpening wheel c1918. This wheel was used for sharpening sheep shears, axes and other cutting implements used in the clearing of vegetation, bush and trees on 'virgin' blocks of land in readiness for farming.
The wheel originally belonged to Henry Browning, Kath's father-in-law. Henry Browning was born at South Greenough on 6 August 1894, the seventh child of Alfred and Mary Ann Browning. Whilst a youth, the family moved to Yuna where Mary Ann ran a boarding house. Henry found work on the railways at Mullewa, but left to enlist when war broke out. He fought in France, and the injuries he received effected him for the rest of his life.
Returning to Western Australia in 1918, Henry and his brother Walter, took up a soldier settlement farm at Yandanooka, where this tool would have come in very helpful.
On 25 April 1924, Henry married Olive Stokes. The couple had 3 sons, Keith, Athol and Kevin. Henry and Olive evenually retired to Geraldton, where he died on 2 January 1966.
The sharpening wheel was inherited by his oldest son Keith, who in later years built a new stand for it.
The sharpening wheel is to be an important exhibit in a new display we are preparing for the Old Garage.
Thanks Kath.

How Can You Help?

2009-03-26T16:15:00.003+09:00

A community based, volunteer run like ours is always dependent upon assistance to maintain operations. There are many ways you can help.
The most obvious way is by visiting the museum, bringing your friends and telling everyone what a wonderful place it is.
Then you could volunteer your time, we are always looking for people to staff the museum on the caretakers' days off. Also we are always looking for assistance in mainting the collection. One new volunteer has taken upon himself the task of rust-proofing some of our old metal tools and agricultural machinery. There is plenty more work to be undertaken.
Are you interested in accessioning? With approximately 3000 objects to catalogue, the curator is desperate for assistance.
Do you like working with school children? We would love to have a person create educational programmes/activities for children, and to visit schools to promote the museum. Those children are our future. We must create an interest in history now.
Recently a long time member of the Geraldton Historical Society donated her late husband's trailer to the museum. Now this is not a museum piece, but rather a functioning trailer and has been very useful in carting larger objects to the museum.
Another woman allowed us access to her late husband's tool shed. As well as obtaining close to 100 objects to be used in our new ToolShed display, she also allowed us to take modern tools, nails, screws, nuts and bolts etc we can use to maintain the museum.
You could also assist by being on the lookout for objects to add to our collection (just check our Collection Policy first).
Can you help us?

Illyarrie

2009-02-21T14:36:00.003+09:00

In this 40⁰C heat, most of the garden is wilting, drooping and looking very sad, but one tree adores the summer. It is the Illyarrie, a small (some would call scruffy) eucalyptus that is endemic to this region. At this time of the year, the tree is covered in bright yellow blossom, truly an uplifting sight.

Benefactor's Board

2009-02-12T11:51:00.003+09:00

Through funding from the City of Geraldton-Greenough a Benefactor's Board has been placed in the Museum office to recognise significant contributions to our museum.
The following criteria have been put in place for names to be included on the Board.

For consideration of the insertion of a name on the Benefactor’s Board displayed at the Greenough Pioneer Museum, the applicant must fulfil one of the following criteria:
1. An individual/family that donates $1,000.00 or more within a twelve month period.
2. An individual/family that donates objects pertinent to the Greenough Pioneer Museum Collection Policy to the value of $1,000.00 or more within a twelve month period.
3. A business/local government/organisation/etc that donates $10,000.00 or more within a twelve month period.

January's Past

2008-12-31T11:07:00.005+09:00

The Greenough Pioneer Museum has a large collection of original documents including letters, store orders, account books etc that were found in Maley’s Store. These documents are too fragile to be on permanent display, so the aim is to eventually scan them and so make them available to the public digitally.

In celebration of New Year's Day, here are 2 letters from January's past.

Greenough January
Mr J S Maley
Sir please send me one gallon of Brandy and oblige
Yours
J C Bone
Letter received by John S. Maley on 2 January 1869 from his brother-in-law, Henry Waldeck.

Dear John
Will you please send me a Bag of Sugar or if you cannot spare a Bag a half a one will do I haven’t got a bit to give to the men to take in the bush
Yours Truly
Henry Waldeck

Wishing you a Happy Christmas

2008-12-22T09:12:00.004+09:00

A Christmas Card from the museum collection (GHOB0368).

This card was sent by Mr & Mrs George Maley, Lewis Street, Kalgoorlie to Mr & Mrs Charles Thomas of Three Springs in December 1945.

Pioneer Museum Book

2008-12-19T11:13:00.003+09:00

Greenough Pioneer Museum By Gary Martin & Peter Dameon

This book was compiled in acknowledgment of the Greenough Pioneer Museum’s 40th birthday. The museum which is operated by the Geraldton Historical Society opened in September 1966 in the former Maley homestead at Greenough and is the oldest museum in the mid-west region of WA.

The book contains a brief overview of European discovery and settlement at Greenough. It then examines the Maley family background and the life of the original owners of Home Cottage (as the house was first known), John Stephen Maley and his wife Elizabeth (nee Waldeck). John came to Greenough in 1860 to oversee the construction of a flour mill. Though from a very humble background, through his entrepreneurial skills John was eventually to become one became one of the leading business men in the locality and was referred to as the “King of the Greenough Flats.” John and Elizabeth’s 14 children were also to play influential roles in the development of WA and details of their achievements are included. There are also articles on the construction of Home Cottage, the importance of the gardens, life at Home Cottage, occupancy by the Rudduck family between 1932 and 1968 and the establishment of the museum by the Geraldton Historical Society.
The book is illustrated with over 50 historic and contemporary photographs in B/W and colour.
The 60 page book costs only $15.00 (which includes GST + Australia wide postage). Payable by cheque or money order made out to:-
Two Fish Drowning
PO Box 1325
Geraldton WA 6531

Howzat - Amy Maley's letter on show

2008-12-15T09:20:00.001+09:00

There is a contribution from the Greenough Pioneer Museum in the "Howzat" Cricket exhibition currently on display at the Western Australian Museum Geraldton.

The object is a copy of a section of a letter written by Amy Maley in July 1885 to her teacher Miss Millward asking that the students be allowed to play cricket again.

The complete letter is shown below.

Unidentified People

2008-12-07T14:13:00.001+09:00

In our collection we have photographs of unidentified people. The four photographs below are said to be of people who lived on the Greenough Flats in the 1870-80s.

If you recognise anyone could you please contact us.

From Grave to Garden

2008-12-01T15:58:00.000+09:00

Last summer, whilst walking through the old Greenough Cemetery, I noticed a lush green plant growing at the head of George Maley's grave (George was the oldest son of John Maley and died aged 16 on 29 July 1879. He had succumbed to pulmonary consumption). Any plant that could grow so prolifically in such a desolute environment deserves attention, so I took a rootlet back to the museum and planted it in the front garden.

The plant is, as I later discovered, Indian Millet, and as you can see is flourishing and providing a very decorative feature.

What a difference in 20 years

2008-11-30T09:41:00.001+09:00

A recent donation to the museum is a collection of black & white photos taken in the 1980s of buildings on the Front Greenough Flats.

McNeece's Cottage, the last original Pensioner Guard Cottage on the Flats is now a pile of rubble.

Lily Cottage hasn't changed and is now up for sale.

Maley's Store and Mill hasn't changed.

Reake's Cottage has been restored.

Eakin's Cottage has been rebuilt and extended and now is a much loved family home.

Bishop Cottage continues to deteriorate.

Smithville Barn has long gone.

Bridge Barn is still owned by the National Trust (WA) and hasn't changed.

Vale Bob Sullivan

2008-11-20T08:48:00.001+09:00

The Pioneer Museum lost a loyal supporter in the sudden death of Bob Sullivan recently. Back in 2005, Bob helped the museum acquire a very popular exhibit - Granny's Cocky.
From diary records we know that Granny Maley kept a pet cocky whilst she lived in this house. Although the diaries do not mention what type of cockatoo it was, it was probably either a Galah (Cacatua roseicapilla) or Little Corella (Cacatua sanguinea) as both species make excellent pets, and both birds are common to this region.
On 23 July 1886 it was recorded in the family diary that, Granny’s Bird bad I gave it Castor Oil this morning thought it was dying - 8 o’clock the Bird still alive won’t eat or drink anything. Unfortunately we do not know the ultimate fate of the bird.
Now the museum had an old bird cage in it's collection, but no cocky. A live bird was not feasible, but where to find a stuffed bird? These birds are protected.
Now Bob had a cocky. This bird was a Little Corella that was hatched in the Yuna area about 1940. After falling from the nest, the fledgling was found by a truck driver and given to Dave Sullivan, another truck driver. Dave took the young bird to Perth where it was cared for by his mother, Winifred Luff (formerly Sullivan).
In 1947, Winifred came to live with her son and family in Jose Street, Geraldton and Cocky came too. Cocky entertained the guard all night on the train coming up here. Winifred (or Nanna) and Cocky soon became well known in the neighbourhood. Cocky talked and sang incessantly.
Nanna died in 1969 and so Dave and his wife Greta took over the care of Cocky. Dave passed away in 1977 and Greta looked after Cocky until she became unwell. Greta died in 1995 and care of Cocky passed on to her son Bob and his wife Connie who moved Cocky to their place in Cairncross Street, Geraldton. Shortly after Cocky's arrival, she laid an egg! This was the first time anyone realised the bird was a girl. Cocky kept on entertaining the Sullivan family until 10 April 2005 when she died aged 65.
After her death, Bob temporarily housed Cocky in their freezer whilst money was collected from family members, members of the Geraldton Historical Society and visitors to this museum, to have the bird stuffed and displayed in this museum in her new role as Granny Maley's Cocky.

Thank you Bob for your Cocky and your support.

R.I.P.

Garden In Bloom

2008-11-08T13:01:00.000+09:00

With the commencement of warm weather, the garden is in full bloom.

The Globe Artichokes in the Vegie Garden are putting on a spectacular show. Being such fiddly vegetables to eat, we much prefer them for their attractive foliage and brilliant blooms.

In the Front Garden, the "Souvenir dela Malmaison" is the first of the Heritage Roses to flower. The others are in full bud.

Closer to the house, the first of the Christmas Cactii has an abundance of large orange flowers. The ugliness of the plants for 50 weeks of the year is amply compensated in this brief annual extravaganza.

Pioneer Museum Committee

2008-11-06T08:57:00.000+09:00

The 2008/09 Pioneer Museum Committee met for the first time on Monday 3 November. The Curator, Gary Martin, welcomed two new local members, being Jose Hopkinson and Norma Martin. Jose is the proprietor of the charming "Rock of Ages" B&B which is located just across the road from the Pioneer Museum, and Norma is from the historic Belay Farm near Walkaway. Other members consist of Shirley Valle (President of the Geraldton Historical Society), Glenis Thomas (Secretary/Treasurer of GHS), Doreen Allen (committee member of GHS and Co-Social Organiser) and Neil Bennett representing the City of Geraldton-Greenough. Apologies were received from Bruce Sherwood (honorary architect).
The committee agreed to allocate finances for minor improvements to public areas of the building and for the conservation of documents.
The next meeting is to be held in early January when it is hoped a calendar of events for 2009 can be organised.

New Accessions

2008-10-31T10:58:00.000+09:00

Our latest aquisitions are two certificates relating to the Maley family. The first is Amy Maley's (John and Elizabeth's 5th child) Wedding Certificate. Amy married Edward Whitfield at the Greenough Wesleyan Church on 4 April 1894. The marriage was wittnessed by her brother John M. Maley and his fiancee, Ethel Clinch. Interestingly, John Stephen Maley listed his profession as 'Engineer.'
This document was recently encapsulated to ensure its preservation at a Paper Conservation Workshop held at the Geraldton-Greenough Regional Libray.

The other document is the Birth Certificate of Mary Guerin Whitfield (Amy's youngest child). Mary (or Polly as she was more familiarly known) was born at Greenhills on 27 September 1902.

These two documents arrived at the museum through a chance conversation with a visitor who had known Polly.